Backpack system with integral sleeping pad

ABSTRACT

A backpack system where a pack portion includes a compartment that has a flap coupled to the pack portion and configured to be selectively moved between an open position. The compartment is accessible and when in a closed position, the compartment is encased by the pack portion and the flap. The backpack system has a sleeping pad coupled to the pack portion where the sleeping pad is moveable between a stowed position and an extended position. The sleeping pad is maintained within the compartment when in the stowed position and the flap in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 USC 119(e) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/507,075, filed Jul. 12, 2011, which is hereby explicitly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates generally to backpack systems and more particularly to backpack systems including sleeping pads.

SUMMARY

Backpacks are commonly used to conveniently carry around items in a variety of environments and scenarios such as camping, school, military, etc. Backpacks are typically not large enough or configured to also carry things such as sleeping pads, sleeping bags, pillows and the like. Therefore, there exists a significant need for a backpack capable of also carrying such sleeping items.

In one embodiment, a backpack system comprising: a pack portion including a compartment; a flap hingedly coupled to the pack portion and configured to be selectively moved between an open position, wherein the compartment is accessible, and a closed position, wherein the compartment is encased by the pack portion and the flap; and a sleeping pad releaseably coupled to the pack portion, the sleeping pad moveable between a stowed position and an extended position, wherein the sleeping pad is maintained within the compartment when in the stowed position and the flap in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a backpack system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a backpack system with a flap in an open position;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a backpack system with a sleeping pad in an extended position; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a sleeping pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the FIGS. wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, a backpack system 100 is shown. The backpack system 100 includes a pack portion 102. The pack portion 102 is configured as any conventional backpack with any suitable number of pockets, openings, straps, zippers, snaps, and the like. It will be appreciated that the pack portion 102 may have any suitable configuration and remain within the scope of the present disclosure and is not limited to the configuration shown herein. The pack portion 102 includes a compartment 104 configured to receive a sleeping pad 106 as described below.

The system 100 also includes a flap 108 hingedly coupled to the pack portion 102. The flap 108 may be hingedly coupled to the pack portion 102 by any suitable means. For example, the flap 108 may be coupled to the pack portion 102 via stitching, one or more hook-and-loop assemblies, one or more snaps, one or more mechanical hinges, or any other suitable technique or device for hingedly coupling the flap 108 to the pack portion 102. It will be understood that the term coupled as used herein is intended to also encompass embodiments wherein the flap 108 is substantially integral with the pack portion 102. The flap 108 is configured to be moved between an open position where the pack compartment 104 may be accessed and a closed position where the body of the pack portion 102 and flap 108 encompass the compartment 104. The flap 108 may be releasably secured in the closed position via any suitable technique or means, including but not limited to, zipper(s), buttons, snaps, magnets, hook-and-loop assemblies, ties, or any other suitable technique or device. The flap 108 may be formed from a soft and thick material whereby the flap may be used as a head support or pillow when in the open position and the sleeping pad 106 extended (as described below).

A sleeping pad 106 is releaseably coupled to the pack portion 102. The sleeping pad 106 may be releaseably coupled to the pack portion 102 via any suitable means or device. For example, and without limitation, the sleeping pad 106 may be releasably coupled to the pack portion 102 with one or more snaps, one or more hook-and-loop assemblies, one or more magnet assemblies, or any other suitable means or device operable to releasably couple the sleeping pad 106 and pack portion 102.

The sleeping pad 106 is moveable between a stowed position and an extended position. In the stowed position, the sleeping pad 106 is capable of being encompassed within the pack compartment 104 and the flap 108 such that the sleeping pad 106 may be carried on the back of a user along with the other contents of the pack portion 102. In the extend position, the sleeping pad 106 extends from the pack portion 102 such that a user may rest atop the sleeping pad 106. A user may optionally remove the sleeping pad 106 from the pack portion 102.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the sleeping pad 106 may be formed from a plurality of separated segments 107 where each segment is formed from a plush material so as to provide comfort to a user while also allowing the sleeping pad 106 to be easier folded into the stowed position. To that end, in one embodiment, the gap 109 between the segments 107 may increase in width the further the segment 107 is from the end coupled to the pack portion 102. Further, in one embodiment, the end of the sleeping pad 106 coupled to the pack portion 102 is a first width and the opposite end is a second width, wherein the first width is smaller than the second width. However, it will be appreciated that the sleeping pad 106 may have any suitable configuration and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. The sleeping pad 106, or segments thereof, may be formed from any suitable material. In one embodiment, polyurethane is employed. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable material that is plush and resilient may be employed and remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

In use, a user may move the flap 108 to the open position. The sleeping pad 106 may be unfolded, unrolled or otherwise moved to the extended position from within the pack portion compartment 104. The user may optionally uncouple the sleeping pad 106 from the pack portion 102. Once the user is finished using the sleeping pad 106, the sleeping pad 106 may be folded, rolled or otherwise placed in the stowed position and disposed within the pack portion compartment 104. The flap 108 may then be moved to the closed position such that the sleeping pad 106 is secured within in the pack portion compartment 104. The flap 108 may then be releasably secured in the closed position to ensure the sleeping pad 106 remains within the compartment 104.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A backpack system comprising: a pack portion including a compartment; a flap coupled to the pack portion and configured to be selectively moved between an open position, wherein the compartment is accessible, and a closed position, wherein the compartment is encased by the pack portion and the flap; and a sleeping pad coupled to the pack portion, the sleeping pad moveable between a stowed position and an extended position, wherein the sleeping pad is maintained within the compartment when in the stowed position and the flap in the closed position.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the flap is hingedly coupled to the pack portion.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the sleeping pad is releaseably coupled to the pack portion.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a coupling device operable to releasably retain the flap in the close position.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the sleeping pad comprises a plurality of segments.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein at least two segments have two different widths.
 7. The system of claim 5 wherein at least two segments are separated by a gap portion. 